by David Carlsen Jones
Hello there and Happy New Year! I’m David Carlsen Jones, Lighting Specification Sales with TLA. This is Part 1 of a 2-Part Series covering Architectural and Interior Lighting. In today’s post, I’ve put together a collection of my top ARCHITECTURAL LIGHTING TRENDS FOR 2021:
1. Lines of Light
2. Black and White
3. Unique Optical Designs
4. Indirect Lighting Sources
5. Acoustic Forms
6. Biophilic Design and Clouds
7. Smart Home Downlighting
8. Lit Mirrors
TREND 1: Lines of Light
Re-emphasizing the interior architecture within the ceiling plane creates an opportunity for dynamic, directional, energetic, and/or rhythmic design themes. Seamless or virtual seamless runs of light are apparent within the workplace environment theme.
Key Manufacturers & Products
KREON – PROLOGE LIGNA & IN-DOLMA
TREND 2: Black and White
Highlighting and calling attention lighting: contrasting light ceiling plane finishes with dark fixture finishes. Suspended, recessed, or surface mounted lighting is a strong design trend. This can be a wonderful balance of harmony between black and white. Unique fixture designs offer endless opportunities for layout and systems integration.
Key Manufacturers & Products
LF ILLUMINATION – EF SLOT SYSTEM
KREON – PROLOGE IN-LINE & IN-DOLMA
TREND 3: Unique Optical Designs
Lighting Manufacturers keep pushing the envelope when it comes to lensing, optics, and distribution of light. Glare-free lighting is paramount in creating well-lit environments, and these new, fun technologies offer the specifier an amazing design opportunity.
Key Manufacturers & Products
TREND 4: Indirect Lighting Sources
Some of the best lighting strategies are the ones that remain unseen, at least when we’re talking about fixtures. The ability to accentuate volumes, highlight textured walls, or pop vibrant colors within an art wall is a great design opportunity.
Key Manufacturers & Products
FOCAL POINT – SEEM 2 PERIMETER
TREND 5: Acoustic Forms
Combine acoustical value in a light source is not a fad like a pair of bell-bottom jeans from the 70’s. Acoustic forms are here to stay, and they’re getting better than ever!
Key Manufacturers & Products
TREND 6: Biophilic Design and Clouds
Connect architecture to nature. Look at vertical or horizontal, back-lit expanses evoking literal scenes or mass clouds. Combine biophilia to lighting design. The next generation of architectural lighting is all about reconnecting people with their natural environment.
Key Manufacturers & Products
TREND 7: Smart Home Downlighting
Just when you think you’ve seen it all, you haven’t! Welcome to smart home downlighting. Specification grade residential downlighting meets JBL, meets Alexa built in.
Key Manufacturers & Products
JUNO – AI w/ Integrated JBL and Alexa
TREND 8: Lit Mirrors
The ability to integrate a mirror with lighting at the vanity is a highly innovative solution. Aside from a great aesthetic and performance story, there is also a cost savings for you to share with your client.
Key Manufacturer & Products
ELECTRIC MIRROR – LIGHTED MIRRORS
Thanks so much for joining me for Part 1 of the Two-Part series, and be sure to check back for my second installment of the 2021 Lighting Industry Design Trends Series, where I’ll be covering what’s new for Interior Lighting Trends.
If you would like more information about any of the manufacturers or products featured here, please email me.
